R & C Wines and Liquors

If you see a bullet proof glass at a liquor store, you know you in the hood.
If you can find a liquor store open late on a Sunday night (on the good Lord’s holy day) then you know you in the hood.
If they have to slide your liquor down a glass panel after charging your card, you know you in the hood.
If you see Alize as a liquor bottle option, you know you in the hood.
In all seriousness, not a bad spot, they have everything and anything at about any hour. I did feel safe, just found it amusing how the place is set up.

This store is an essential part of this neighborhood. It’s not that it’s the best liquor store in the city, or that it has fantastic deals, or houses exceptionally rare bottles of Scotch. No, R & C is necessary because it’s an oasis in the booze desert that is the 100’s and Central Park East. Live on 5^th and want to avoid crossing over Park ave to get a bottle of red wine? These guys have you covered.
Living in this city is tough, let’s face it. Sometimes* all one needs after a long day is a glass (read: bottle) of wine. Job’s a drag? Kids acting up (I hear this happens)? Dog giving you a hard time (I can relate)? The answer to your problems my friends, big or small, is booze (I don’t have a drinking problem… I swear). Yeah you could be one of those «healthy» people that release their stress in a «positive» way with activities like running or a hobby that doesn’t involve copious amounts of alcohol… but where is the fun in that? Nah keep your elite Brook’s running apparel (looking at you triathletes’ training in the park. Jerks.), I’ll be over here with my music and wine, unwinding.
Anywho, when it’s time to restock R & C is a good choice. Walking in you find the friendly staff hiding safely behind bullet proof glass. Now some may view this in a negative light, but I personally see it as a sign that a store will almost always have a decent price on a bottle of wine (or a bottle of fortified wine, stores like this are guaranteed to have it, and cheap!). The inventory is surprisingly solid; they carry a wide variety of spirits, and the wine selection is surprisingly good. They could probably carry a few more types of champagne (love my champs), and it would be nice if they kept some cold, but you can’t win them all. The staff is super friendly, though not overly helpful… I think it’s hard for them to hear what you are really asking through the 14″ thick glass. When it’s time to pay and go, they will happily slide your bounty through a little port in the glass that lets booze out, and keeps guns (and those pesky bullets) from getting in. Huge bump in stars here for their location and selection, but there is absolutely room for improvement.
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*By sometimes I mean all the time, but hey they say a bottle of wine a day is good for your health right?

I just recently moved and clearly needed to find a new local liquor store. After a quick search I found R&C, which is not far out of the way from my commute home. The store is well lit, and organized fairly well. The staff is friendly and pretty attentive. Prices are slightly higher than my go to in bedstuy, but that is to be expected. Instead of paying about 16 for .75 of gin it is 19, and the bottles of wine are about 2 $ higher (14.99 for barefoot and yellowtail). A bottle of Cook’s is about 6.99. Unfortunately they do not have my favorite bubbly, J. Roget, but I suppose I can get over that. I’ve yet to encounter a line the few times I’ve been but there are at least a few people perusing the merchandise every time. They also have lotto for those who play.

I live nearby and this place is super convenient for whenever I have emergency liquor needs! I needed kahlua the other day (weekday) and i was already a bit past 10pm, this place was thankfully open. The guys running the place are usually very nice and helpful.
Please note that the phone number currently listed here is wrong, I called a couple times and got some weird dude. I asked the guys at the store and they said they don’t have a phone number so don’t bother looking for a phone number online!
They also take credit cards, order has to be over $ 15 though.

«Don’t listen to this white old bourgeoise hag below me that gave a 1 star review. This place is good and I get all my liquor here since I live close.» –written by my communist friend, Tom

I am a neighbor of this store, and I am dismayed that the customers break bottles outside and throw their empty containers all over the sidewalk.
Pick up your trash or move away from this neighborhood please!